NATURE WALK – The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission and the Bergen County Audubon Society on March 3 at 10 a.m. will host a free two-hour walk of Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus that features raptors, waterfowl and early spring migrants. To RSVP, contact Don Torino at: greatauk4@aol.com or (201) 230-4983.

Assemblyman Ruben Ramos Jr. announced Thursday that he is running for mayor of Hoboken, the first official challenger in a race against Mayor Dawn Zimmer this November.

“For years I’ve been an advocate for our city,” Ramos said. “Now more than ever, I believe Hoboken needs a leader with a clear vision for the city, a leader who is willing to work with all sides for solutions. For that reason, I am officially announcing my candidacy for mayor.”

Running on Ramos’ slate for City Council are Joe Mindak, publisher of hMAG, former Rotarian of the Year, and co-founder of the Hoboken Dads’ Group; Laura Miani, a finance industry professional, open space advocate, and trustee at Stevens Cooperative School, and Eduardo Gonzalez, a board member of the Hoboken Housing Authority, a portfolio manager at a large institutional bank, and trustee at Elysian Charter School.

Ramos and his wife, Norma, live in Hoboken with their three children, Gail, Isabel, and Ryan. Mindak, Miani, and Gonzalez each lives in Hoboken, is married, and has two children who attend school in Hoboken.

“We’re men and women of various backgrounds, we’re parents, businessmen and community leaders working together on a vision for Hoboken’s future,” Ramos said. “There’s no single solution to the challenges in our community, and we want to have a conversation with the community about how we can make Hoboken a better place to live. We’re not afraid to stand up and negotiate for Hoboken, even if it’s politically unpopular.”

Ramos has represented Hoboken and the 33rd Legislative District in Trenton since 2008. “As a public servant, I cringe when I see officials shortchanging the people over politics,” Ramos said. “I’ve found, above all else, people want solutions. They are tired of one-sided politics and a failure to recognize or respect different points of view. I’ve been fighting for thoughtful and much needed reform and I will continue to do so as mayor.”

Ramos said he has worked across the aisle to reduce out-of-control pension and benefit costs. He said he crossed party lines in 2010 to ensure a fiscally responsible budget was passed and prevented a government shutdown. He expects to bring the same leadership to City Hall.

“We can be a city united, a city thriving, safe, and beautiful,” he said. “We need to stop the factionalism and create a common vision. This campaign will present our vision for this city; we’re a slate comprised of different backgrounds working together for a common vision for Hoboken.”

Ramos’ council candidates will face the council-at-large candidates allied with Mayor Dawn Zimmer, including Ravi Bhalla and David Mello.

Eric Legrand bELieve Fund Fundraiser March 9

A fundraiser event for legendary Rutgers football player Eric Legrand will be held on Saturday, March 9 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Turtle Club, on the corner of Tenth Street and Park Avenue.

At a recent RebuildHoboken.Org gala, Rotary member and business owner Rory Chadwick won a lunch with the football icon during a silent auction. Chadwick decided the next day to turn his private lunch into a public fundraiser and give back to Legrand in the way he has given back to others.

“He has inspired me on countless days to be the best I can be because if he can work as hard as he does to make his comeback then I can do anything I set my mind to,” he said. “His presence will also give that hope and thought to others who get to meet him. Simply having that lunch with him would be somewhat selfish given how he has basically inspired the USA and I want others to experience that inspiration too and at the same time raise money to help Eric walk again.”

Legrand suffered a severe spinal injury on Oct. 16, 2010 during a game at MetLife Stadium. Doctors at Hackensack University Medical Center determined that Legrand was paralyzed from the neck down. Doctors also informed his mother that he would more than likely need the aid of a respirator to breathe for the rest of his life and had a suspected chance of 0-5 percent walking.

Legrand was later signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but announced his retirement from football to free up a roster spot on the team.

However, to date Legrand has proven many doctors wrong. He now breathes without a respirator and has shown upper body mobility. Last year Legrand won the Jimmy Valvano award for Perseverance at the ESPY Awards.

Legrand and many other former Rutgers players who are now in the NFL are scheduled to attend the fundraiser. Tickets will be made available at www.hobokenturtleclub.com and available in two tiers. General admission is $52 and includes a complimentary drink, free food and a Christopher Reeve “Believe 52” bracelet. There will also be a limited number of VIP tickets sold at $152 which will also include a 30 minute happy hour meet and greet with Legrand.

Legrand will also sign personal items, in which he uses a Sharpie marker in his mouth and has been rumored to have good penmanship doing so. There will be a silent auction and prizes raffled off as well.

Legion Park and Elysian Park Community Meetings this Tuesday

The City of Hoboken will host a community meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 26 to solicit input from the public on Phase 2 of improvements to Legion Park, a pocket park located at 1225 Willow Ave. The meeting will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Fox Hill Gardens community room, 311 13th St.

Phase 1 of improvements to Legion Park were completed in April 2012 and included new playground equipment and safety surface as part of a city-wide parks improvement project.

In addition, a public hearing will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at the Hoboken Historical Museum, 1301 Hudson St. for the public to review and provide feedback on proposed improvements to Elysian Park. In advance of the meeting, the proposed plan can be viewed at www.hobokennj.org/elysianpark. Residents are invited to attend any time between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Small business information seminar at Hoboken Public Library

The first of three informational workshops for small business owners or hopeful small business owners will be held on Thursday, Feb 28 at 6 p.m. at the Hoboken Public Library. The first seminar focuses on sales and marketing strategies and actions. The workshops will provide attendees with valuable information and experience on the important aspects of creating and managing a successful small business. For more information call (201) 420-2347 or email hobkref@bccls.org or visit www.hobokenlibrary.org.

Purim in the Stadium!

The Chabad Jewish Center of Hoboken will on Sunday, Feb. 24 celebrate Purim at the Hoboken Elks Club, at 1005 Washington St.

Fun for the entire family will begin at 3 p.m. and will include a magic show, plate spinning, balloon sculpting, ventriloquism, a multi-media Megillah reading from the kids of the Chabad Hebrew School.

The celebration will include a buffet dinner, hamantashen, a concession stand, and an open bar.

Folks who dress up in their best “sports fan” attire have a chance to win a prize. (This is where the “in the stadium” part of the celebration comes in!)

Admission is $25 for adults and $15 for children. Children enrolled in the Hebrew School pay the discounted rate of $7.50.

For more information, or to RSVP, call (201) 386-5222 or visit www.JewishHoboken.com

Hudson County Community College celebrating sixth annual community literacy day

Hudson County Community College (HCCC) announced this week that it will hold the Sixth Annual Literacy & Family Day on Saturday, March 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the college’s Culinary Arts Institute/Conference Center, located at 161 Newkirk St., just two blocks from the Journal Square PATH Station in Jersey City. There is no charge for admission, but all children must be accompanied by an adult.

HCCC President Dr. Glen Gabert said the event, which is prepared and presented by the college’s Academic Affairs Division and the Culinary Conference Center, is an annual celebration of the birthday of Theodore Seuss Geisel, who is better known to generations of Americans as Dr. Seuss, author of “Green Eggs and Ham,” “The Cat in the Hat” and 44 more beloved children’s books.

The event will include a whole host of interactive activities for children of all ages, including a Dr. Seuss Reading Theatre, a preschool reading station, game table, arts and crafts, Dr. Seuss-themed refreshments and giveaways.

“This is a great opportunity for families from all over the County to come together for a lot of fun, and more importantly to teach our youngest children about the importance of reading,” Dr. Gabert said. “It’s also one of the few family events to be found that is free,” he added.